Illinois American promotes National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

American Water

Illinois American Water encourages customers to participate in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Residents are encouraged to drop off their unwanted medications at approved collection sites so they can be incinerated, the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended approach for pharmaceutical disposal. Both flushing medications down the toilet and throwing them in the trash are discouraged.

“This event is a great opportunity for residents to securely drop off any unused or expired medications,” said Karla Olson Teasley, Illinois American Water president. “It’s important for us to keep these items out of our landfills and water supplies as well as the hands of those who may misuse or abuse them.

“We encourage those who cannot participate during this DEA event to continue to use their community pharmaceutical disposal programs to properly dispose of their unwanted medications,” Teasley said. “Through all of these efforts we can protect not only our water but our community as a whole.”

Through partnership and collaboration with local pharmacies, environmental stewards, police departments and government officials, Illinois American Water has helped to implement 33 permanent pharmaceutical disposal programs across the state, including one in Alton. To find a permanent collection program in Illinois, visit http://www.epa.state.il.us/medication-disposal/locations/index.html.